Richard Joseph Francis Abbate (Buzz, Rick, Rich), 73, of Cheshire, CT, passed away on Dec. 20, 2018 at Masonicare Health Center in Wallingford. Born May 2, 1945 in New Haven, son of the late Prisco Anthony (2003) and Lillian Ferreno (2015), he spent most of his life residing in New Haven and then Cheshire. He was Class of 1963 at Notre Dame High School in West Haven and graduated in 1972 with a BA in English from Sacred Heart University in Bridgeport. He "reinvented himself every 5 years" in his professional life. Careers included Co-Owner and Manager of Pre-Fix Do-It-Yourself Auto Service Center, Founder of and Chief Driver for American Spirit Racing Team, Coordinator of the Commercial Neighborhood Revitalization Program in New Haven, Cheshire Registrar of Voters, and President of the Registrars of Voters Association of Connecticut. He was also active politically for much of his life, campaigning for New Haven City Town Clerk as mayoral candidate Henry Parker's running mate, and was later a candidate for Secretary of the State. A life-long lover of history, he was captivated by planes, trains, and automobiles. He was a member of Valley HO Trak Model Railroad Club, racing instructor and announcer at Lime Rock Park, private pilot and Captain in the Civil Air Patrol, and a WWII reenactor with the Allied Airmen's Preservation Society. Engaged in his children's activities he served as Den Leader and Cubmaster of Pack 2 in New Haven, and coached both children in soccer. He was a devoted member and former Deacon of First Congregational Church of Cheshire. He was a Master Mason & member of Temple Lodge No. 16. He is survived by his wife Carole Wright Abbate, his son Adam Van Sinderen Abbate (Rebecca) of Wallingford, his daughter Elizabeth A. Galley (Andrew) of Port Deposit, MD, and grandchildren Henry, Juliette, Christopher, Gavin, Connor, and Jacquelyn (Justin).